SUN 7/11: Slurpees, Fests, Rock

In the World Cup finals today, I'm rooting for the Orange. Go, Netherlands!

(Why not, right? I barely pay more attention than the average American fan...)

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SUN 7/11

8am to 11pm
7.11-ounce Slurpees
at participating 7-Eleven stores
FREE

Why not grab a free mini-slurpee if you're passing a 7-11 today? The temperature wont hit 100 with 75% humidity, but this chain reliably celibates when it's the 11th day of the 7th month.

I've enjoyed these freebies in the past, and it may be the right amount of slushy sugar.

(While cup supplies last.)

SUN 7/11

11am to 5pm
Annual Chinatown Main Street Festival
near the Chinatown Arch, 70 Beach St, Boston
FREE

I haven't been to this specific festival, and I'm not sure what it celebrates besides being a Chinatown festival, which is enough really.

If you're downtown, you might as well get a big taste of Chinese arts, culture, and food.

SUN 7/11

2pm to 10pm

Bastille Day Party
along Holyoke Street, Cambridge (Harvard Sq)
FREE

In anticipation of Bastille Day, this is probably the best cheap option. There will be a "French Waiters race" around 5:15pm (to 5:30pm), which you don't see everyday.

The first couple hours seem like family-friendly activities while the World Cup game will be shown on a big screen. There is supposed to be a beer garden, and food offerings from places like Sandrine’s, Rialto, Casablanca, Chez Henri, Savenor’s, etc will be available.

Live entertainment follows until 8pm including bagpipers, singers, an accordion-playing gondolier(?), and a gypsy jazz band. Then it's a dance party "a la Francaise" until 10pm.

Soak in the French ambience with food, music, etc. Watch the waiters race. As cheap as how much food and drink you buy, but way cheaper than a full meal at Sandrine's or the other restaurants...

SUN 7/11

2:30pm to 5:30pm
Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School Cabaret: Life Drawing
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$8 / 18+

Every month, there's a chance to hang out at a bar on a Sunday afternoon and call it "artistic". All levels of experience are welcome, even if you can't tell your easel from a hole in the ground...

The models have personality and wear interesting outfits, and a portion of the costumes usually come off. They'll strike poses, and you can draw to your heart's content. No one judges your work unless it's for some silly contest.

A couple of tips: Come on time to get a seat up front. Keep it small so others can crowd in around you. Bring your stuff in a milk crate so you have something to sit on or put your stuff on. (we have lots of seats, but more is helpful) There will be some fancy paper for you to buy if you want.

It's a relaxed environment for getting arty at the coolest & cheapest life-drawing session around for novices and experts. Be arty, be boozy, and you can decide the proportion of both.

This month's model: Dalya DuSunshine (If you're interested, this may be her 'manifesto'.)

SUN 7/11

9pm
Treat Her Right
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

This bluesy rock outfit was resurrected last year to celebrate one of their original members at a Mark Sandman tribute concert. Every now and then, you can catch them here on Sundays and other various gigs.

SUN 7/11


MiniBoone (11pm), I Have Ears (10pm), Tik Tok (9pm)
at TT the Bear's Place, 10 Brookline St, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$7

I clicked 'play' and pretty much listened to every MiniBoone track all the way through. Sometimes listening to dozens of bands has me skipping to the next song in less than a minute, so this is a good sign for their ambitious, energetic powerpop. I hear the band dancing around in each song, and they keep it up in person.

I've also liked what I hear from I Have Ears when their Beatles cover ("I'm So Tired") caught my ear by not straying too far yet keeping it fresh -- and that fresh and accessible vibe goes for their own tracks too. This is going to be pretty darn good indie-rock show for a Sunday night.